The New York Islanders (23-8-3) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (16-14-6) Monday at Nassau Coliseum for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop in a Metropolitan Division clash. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Blue Jackets at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Joonas Korpisalo vs. Semyon Varlamov
Korpisalo is 16-10-3 in his first season as the starter. He has a .910 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average with two shutouts. He’s on a personal four-game win streak and allowed just one goal on 22 shots against the New Jersey Devils his last time out.
Varlamov is 12-3-3 through 18 starts and three relief appearances. He has a .919 SV% and 2.47 GAA. He took a shootout loss his last time out, after allowing five goals on 28 shots in regulation against the visiting Anaheim Ducks.
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Blue Jackets at Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blue Jackets 5, Islanders 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Islanders (-182) have lost two of their last three games, both at home. They’re 13-3-2 at home for the year as they hold second place in the Metropolitan Division. They’re coming off the 6-5 loss to the Ducks Saturday. The BLUE JACKETS (+150) are worth a shot at plus-money. Three of the four victories on their active win streak were decided by two or more goals, including a 5-1 win over the Devils Saturday.
The Islanders rank second-last in the NHL in the percentage of total shot attempts (Corsi) at 5-on-5 play. Columbus also has an analytical edge in scoring chances at 5-on-5.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $15.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Stick with the BLUE JACKETS (+1.5, -189) on the spread and back them to either lose by just 1 goal or win outright. It’s a much less rewarding play, but it’s safer. The Islanders are just 16-18 against the spread on the year and have covered in only seven of 18 home games. The Blue Jackets are 18-18 ATS overall and a pristine 11-5 on the road.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (+110) as it best factors into our outright and ATS picks of the Jackets. The Isles have relied far too heavily on elite goaltending thus far, and Varlamov was lit up his last time out. The Jackets haven’t received their proper share of puck luck, and they’ll be capable of handling the bulk of the scoring Monday.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 139-109
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